A large, herbivorous mammal which lived on the savannahs of Asia during Oligocene to Pliocene. Like most of the members of its family it walked on its knuckles. This animal family (Chalicotheriidae) died out in prehistoric times. The closest relatives today are horses, rhinos and tapirs. This particular genus probably died out because the plains of Asia become too dry. The trees the animal lived from simply thirsted to death.